Palm oil in salty snacks: A South African labelling audit on sustainability communication
Palm oil is widely used in global food production and is highly valued in the salty snack industry for its frying performance, oxidative stability and cost-effectiveness. However, concerns about its environmental and social impacts persist. We investigated the prevalence of palm oil and its derivat...
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| Language: | English |
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Academy of Science of South Africa
2025-08-01
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| Series: | South African Journal of Science |
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| Online Access: | https://sajs.co.za/article/view/21341 |
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| author | Manzimase Sishi-Vilakazi Henriette L. de Kock |
| author_facet | Manzimase Sishi-Vilakazi Henriette L. de Kock |
| author_sort | Manzimase Sishi-Vilakazi |
| collection | DOAJ |
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Palm oil is widely used in global food production and is highly valued in the salty snack industry for its frying performance, oxidative stability and cost-effectiveness. However, concerns about its environmental and social impacts persist. We investigated the prevalence of palm oil and its derivatives in salty snack products, the presence of sustainability claims, including the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) certification logo, and other types of claims on salty snack product labels. A total of 638 in-market products across six categories (maize, potato, grain, vegetable and fruit chips, and ready-to-eat popcorn) were audited. Palm oil and its derivatives were declared in 59% of products; 27% used alternative oils and 14% listed only ‘vegetable oil’ without specifying the oil type. Maize chips (45%) and potato chips (31%) were the largest product categories, with 60% and 69%, respectively, containing palm oil and its derivatives. Vegetable chips showed the lowest reliance on palm oil. Despite the prominence of palm oil, none of the products featured the RSPO certification logo or any certification indicating sustainable palm oil sourcing. Instead, product claims primarily highlighted dietary information, flavour characteristics and production methods. These findings reveal that while palm oil use is widespread in salty snacks, engagement with palm oil sustainability concerns is lacking. This gap presents an opportunity for manufacturers to adopt certified sustainable palm oil or eco-friendly alternatives, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12 (responsible consumption and production) and growing consumer demand for transparency and environmental responsibility.
Significance:
This study uncovered a disconnect in South Africa’s salty snack industry: while palm oil is a dominant ingredient, its sustainability remains overlooked. Despite global efforts to promote certified sustainable palm oil, none of the audited products featured the RSPO certification logo or communicated sustainable palm oil sourcing practices. This gap highlights a missed opportunity for manufacturers to align with Sustainable Development Goal 12 (responsible consumption and production). By adopting and promoting certified sustainable palm oil, the industry can meet rising consumer demand for ethical practices, reduce its ecological footprint and position itself as a leader in sustainable food production.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-76ee41fa52964d5dab47271fb84ebcbe |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1996-7489 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Academy of Science of South Africa |
| record_format | Article |
| series | South African Journal of Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-76ee41fa52964d5dab47271fb84ebcbe2025-08-20T03:41:47ZengAcademy of Science of South AfricaSouth African Journal of Science1996-74892025-08-011217/810.17159/sajs.2025/21341Palm oil in salty snacks: A South African labelling audit on sustainability communicationManzimase Sishi-Vilakazi0https://orcid.org/0009-0000-1071-8815Henriette L. de Kock1https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3660-233XDepartment of Consumer and Food Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South AfricaDepartment of Consumer and Food Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa Palm oil is widely used in global food production and is highly valued in the salty snack industry for its frying performance, oxidative stability and cost-effectiveness. However, concerns about its environmental and social impacts persist. We investigated the prevalence of palm oil and its derivatives in salty snack products, the presence of sustainability claims, including the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) certification logo, and other types of claims on salty snack product labels. A total of 638 in-market products across six categories (maize, potato, grain, vegetable and fruit chips, and ready-to-eat popcorn) were audited. Palm oil and its derivatives were declared in 59% of products; 27% used alternative oils and 14% listed only ‘vegetable oil’ without specifying the oil type. Maize chips (45%) and potato chips (31%) were the largest product categories, with 60% and 69%, respectively, containing palm oil and its derivatives. Vegetable chips showed the lowest reliance on palm oil. Despite the prominence of palm oil, none of the products featured the RSPO certification logo or any certification indicating sustainable palm oil sourcing. Instead, product claims primarily highlighted dietary information, flavour characteristics and production methods. These findings reveal that while palm oil use is widespread in salty snacks, engagement with palm oil sustainability concerns is lacking. This gap presents an opportunity for manufacturers to adopt certified sustainable palm oil or eco-friendly alternatives, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12 (responsible consumption and production) and growing consumer demand for transparency and environmental responsibility. Significance: This study uncovered a disconnect in South Africa’s salty snack industry: while palm oil is a dominant ingredient, its sustainability remains overlooked. Despite global efforts to promote certified sustainable palm oil, none of the audited products featured the RSPO certification logo or communicated sustainable palm oil sourcing practices. This gap highlights a missed opportunity for manufacturers to align with Sustainable Development Goal 12 (responsible consumption and production). By adopting and promoting certified sustainable palm oil, the industry can meet rising consumer demand for ethical practices, reduce its ecological footprint and position itself as a leader in sustainable food production. https://sajs.co.za/article/view/21341palm oilsustainabilityRoundtable on Sustainable Palm Oilsalty snackSDG12 |
| spellingShingle | Manzimase Sishi-Vilakazi Henriette L. de Kock Palm oil in salty snacks: A South African labelling audit on sustainability communication South African Journal of Science palm oil sustainability Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil salty snack SDG12 |
| title | Palm oil in salty snacks: A South African labelling audit on sustainability communication |
| title_full | Palm oil in salty snacks: A South African labelling audit on sustainability communication |
| title_fullStr | Palm oil in salty snacks: A South African labelling audit on sustainability communication |
| title_full_unstemmed | Palm oil in salty snacks: A South African labelling audit on sustainability communication |
| title_short | Palm oil in salty snacks: A South African labelling audit on sustainability communication |
| title_sort | palm oil in salty snacks a south african labelling audit on sustainability communication |
| topic | palm oil sustainability Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil salty snack SDG12 |
| url | https://sajs.co.za/article/view/21341 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT manzimasesishivilakazi palmoilinsaltysnacksasouthafricanlabellingauditonsustainabilitycommunication AT henrietteldekock palmoilinsaltysnacksasouthafricanlabellingauditonsustainabilitycommunication |